Monday, June 20, 2011

I am very pleased to announce to the BANDIT readership that I have been selected as one of two Leadership Fellows by the American Anthropological Association for 2011. Professor Heide Castañeda of University of South Florida is the other Fellow. Dr. Castañeda and I will be matched with more established anthropologists who are involved in AAA governance; we will learn what goes into planning and executing the annual meeting and how the association works behind the scenes. It's a fantastic opportunity and I am very grateful to the AAA officers for selecting me. I also have the BANDIT community to thank because I think our dialogue here on the blog and especially the passionate conversation here and elsewhere online regarding the AAA Long Range Plan and attendant philosophical debates played an important role in my being selected. Thank you, and I will share as much of my fellowship experience with you as I can. See you in Montreal!

The American Anthropological Association is pleased to announce the annual AAA Leadership Mentoring Award Program. The purpose of this mentorship/award program is to provide a unique opportunity for anthropologists early in their careers to learn about AAA and leadership opportunities and to encourage future leadership in the association. Anthropologists three to five years beyond completion of their terminal graduate degree are encouraged to apply. Each year a group of three to five awardees (mentees) will be paired with a mentor chosen from among AAA leadership. Mentors will be available to mentees throughout the year to answer questions related to AAA. Mentees will shadow mentors at the AAA Annual Meeting where there will also be a lunch scheduled for all mentors and mentees to share their experiences in the program.

Congratulations to colleague and friend Dr. Robin Nelson of the University of California Riverside for her recent election to the Executive Committee of the Biological Anthropology Section of the American Anthropological Association. Dr. Nelson will be filling the Member-at-Large position which is particularly involved in student awards and outreach. I can't imagine a better ambassador of biological anthropology scholarship to our newest members. The BAS will certainly benefit from Robin's energy!

Announcing Postdoctoral Fellowships for Academic Diversity at the University of Pennsylvania:

1) Dr. Eduardo Fernandez-Duque (eduardof@sas.upenn.edu) is looking for postdoctoral fellows interested in joining the Owl Monkey Project, a multidisciplinary research program with an emphasis on understanding the evolution of monogamy and alloparental care. Over the years we have examined those central research questions with a multitude of approaches and data on genetics, endocrinology, demography, behavior, chronobiology and energetics taking advantage of a long-term study of wild owl monkeys in the Argentinean Chaco. We are now looking for fellows who may be interested in developing a proposal for new lines of research or expanding existing ones that could be submitted for the Postdoctoral Fellowships for Academic Diversity recently announced by the University of Pennsylvania (see information below). The submission of the proposal needs to be done directly and independently by the applicant, but anyone interested in developing a proposal that would further develop our project can contact Dr. Eduardo Fernandez-Duque (eduardof@sas.upenn.edu) for further information

2) We are looking for postdoctoral fellows interested in a collaborative research project that combines anthropology, cellular/molecular biology, and circadian/sleep medicine to study a wide range of sleep-wakefulness phenotypes. This research will leverage cellular and animal models. Our long-term goal is to explore the architecture and genetics of diurnal and nocturnal sleep. We will use a primate model with unusual patterns of activity: the owl monkey (genus Aotus). Although diurnality is a signature feature among most primates, different species of the genus Aotus show full nocturnality or a mixture of diurnality and nocturnality (like humans). The project will initially take advantage of a long-term study of wild owl monkeys in the Argentinean Chaco, as well as captive populations in the US. During the first phase of the project, the applicant will have access to infrastructure and logistic support for field work in Argentina through Fernandez-Duque’s research and for cellular and molecular studies through Hogenesch’s lab. The applicant will also have access to resources and opportunities offered by the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology . Subsequently the research team will seek additional extramural funding.

Program Description: The University of Pennsylvania (PENN) is dedicated to worldwide academic excellence and is enriched by individuals, who, through their different races and ethnicities, nationalities, gender identities, abilities, economic status, and sexual orientation, contribute to an intellectually challenging and inclusive educational setting. The Academic Diversity Fellowship Program seeks to attract promising scholars and educators from different backgrounds, races, ethnic groups, and other diverse groups whose life experience, research experience and employment background will contribute significantly to our academic excellence.

Eligibility: The fellowships are available for postdoctoral training in all areas of study at the University and seek to attract graduate students from PENN and other institutions who have completed, or will complete their requirements for Ph.D. by their start date. In addition postdoctoral scholars from other institutions who have completed their dissertation within the last three years are eligible. Persons with professional degrees (such as M.D., D.M.D., V.M.D., J.D.) who are within a year of completing their post-degree professional training from Penn and other institutions will also be considered. Postoctoral research fellows who are already at Penn are not eligible. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents. Postdocs, residents and fellows who currently have a position at Penn are ineligible for this program.

Awards: The three year fellowships will begin as early as January 2, 2012.

Stipends and Allowances: Fellows receive a stipend of $43,000 in year 1 with $2,000 increments in years 2 and 3, as well as annual allowances for travel ($2,000) and research ($5,000), and one-time relocation expenses of $5,000. The University also provides a medical, vision, dental and life insurance benefits package. Successful candidates will receive highly mentored scholarly and research training as well as courses and workshops to enhance their research success skills and prepare them for a faculty position in a major university.

Selection Process: A committee appointed by the Senior Vice Provost for Research will review and select the candidates for the Postdoctoral Fellowships for Academic Diversity.

Application Procedure: Required application materials include: (1) A completed fellowship application form, (2) A curriculum vitae including current and pending publications (3) A personal statement, no longer than three pages, which addresses the following: • reviews your previous research accomplishments • outlines your future research goals and proposed research • describes your commitment to pursuing an academic career• includes academic, employment or other life experiences that would bring new perspectives to the University community and your chosen field 4) Three letters of reference from people acquainted with the applicant’s work. One reference letter should be from the applicant's thesis advisor or faculty mentor. Reference letters must be submitted electronically on letterhead stationary. Email subject line should be applicant's name followed by the words reference letter, e.g. Jane Smith_ Reference letter.

All materials must be submitted electronically by August 1, 2011. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.If you have any questions please contact Josie Rook, Executive Director, Office of the Vice Provost for Research at pdfellow@exchange.upenn.edu

Dr. Mike Jarcho recently graduated from the Psychology Department of the University of California, Davis (filing in July). His advisors were Dr. Karen Bales and Dr. Sally Mendoza, and the title of one his dissertation publications is SOCIAL CONDITION AND EXPERIENCE PREDICT ADRENOCORTICAL ACTIVITY IN A MONOGAMOUS NON-HUMAN PRIMATE. His next step is a postdoc at UCLA working with Drs. Steve Cole and Naomi Eisenberger at the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology.

Mike and I worked together in 2005 at the Southwest National Research Center in San Antonio and bonded over marmosets and the NBA finals (Go Spurs Go!). He's an excellent scholar and a fine, fine dancer. Come to ASP 2012 in Austin to find out for yourself. Congratulations, Dr. Jarcho!

In her words:"My thesis is entitled "Prey Item Handling by Captive Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)" and my advisor was Dr. Leila Porter. I'm currently preparing a manuscript of my study for publication--the specific journal has yet to be decided. In the fall, I'll be attending Purdue University and working with Dr. Melissa Remis on regurgitation/reingestion in captive gorillas."

It is a great pleasure to announce that Laurie Kauffman has successfully defended her dissertation and now joins the ranks of new biological anthropology PhDs. A student of Sue Boinski at the University of Floriday, the title of Dr. Kauffman's dissertation is "Primate response to tourist presence at Raleighvallen, Central Suriname Nature Reserve"

In her own words:"I presented portions of my dissertation research at AAA in New Orleans, and at AAPA in Minneapolis. In August I'll be starting a tenure-track job as Assistant Professor of Biology at Oklahoma City University. I am looking forward to working on research projects with undergraduates at OCU, likely in Costa Rica and also in local zoos. I'll also be teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology, Zoology, and Primate Behavior. And I am looking forward to the Oklahoma State Fair and its many fried food on a stick offerings!"

Friday, June 10, 2011

In Elizabeth's own words:"My thesis title was "The impact of variation in the progesterone receptor gene, life history and lifestyle on endometrial function and the menstrual cycle". I'm putting together a talk on it for the upcoming AAPA (or HBA) meetings in 2012, so look for my abstract! I just accepted a non-tenure track position teaching biology at Georgia Southern University."

Her work sounds fantastic - I am truly looking forward to seeing her presentation at the meetings. Also happy to hear about employment! Hurray!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Congratulations to recent MA grad Natalia Reagan. She graduated with honors from California State University Northridge with an MA in anthropology.

In Natalia's words:"My focus was primate conservation and I conducted a survey of the Azuero spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi azuerensis), a critically endangered subspecies endemic to the Azuero peninsula in Panama. The survey was part of my thesis field work (my advisor was Dr. Christina Campbell). The title of my thesis is "The Effects of Forest Fragmentation on the Distribution of the Azuero Spider Monkey". This July I am returning to Panama to conduct some follow-up data collection and to work with the local population to curb deforestation in the region. I will present the findings of my survey at the ASP meeting this September (Dr. Christina Campbell and Mr. Daniel Essiambre are co-authors).

Concurrently, I have been writing and shooting various television shows that focus on the similarities between humans and nonhuman primates using comedy to both educate and entertain audiences (Here's a link to one of the videos). The goal is to reach a wide demographic and encourage primate conservation while perhaps inspiring future primatologists and anthropologists to keep pursing their academic dream. Here's my personal website: www.nataliareagan.com and email: natalia13reagan@gmail.com

Congratulations to Natalia on her achievements and her commitment to education, conservation, and the importance of a sense of humor!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

During this celebratory graduation season, I want to highlight recent bioanthropology MA or PhD grads or recently defended ABDs. Send your info or that of someone you know who should get a BANDIT shout-out to ruther4d@uic.edu and I will compose a personalized post! Tell me your name, university, degree, thesis title, any links to pubs or websites, and future plans: teaching/research gig, postdoc, field work, what-have-you...you guys are special!

Biological Anthropology Developing Investigators Troop (BANDIT), a community bringing together a troop of like-minded primates lucky enough to have a career studying other primates in their endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful.
For those on the job market and the tenure track, in the lab and the field, from post-defense to pre-tenure, adjuncts, assistants, visitors, and academic hobos of all stripes.

About Me

I am a biological anthropologist, proud mother of a rambunctious primate, and a sixth-year assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the College of Nursing. I submit my tenure papers this spring, y'all!
The views expressed herein are my own, and do not necessarily represent those of the University of Illinois, the College of Nursing at UIC, UIC Departments of Women, Children, and Family Health Science and Anthropology, the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, American Society of Primatologists, Midwest Primate Interest Group, American Anthropological Association, International Federation of Placenta Associations, Midwest Primate Interest Group, Midwest Nursing Research Society, Wenner-Gren, or any other professional society of which I am a member or officer.